The Dell XPS 14 costs $2,149 at Dell, runs Intel's new Panther Lake processors, and packs an 8-megapixel webcam that quadruples the sensor resolution of its predecessor. None of that stopped it from cratering in camera lab benchmarks.
Testing conducted by DxOMark awarded the XPS 14 a webcam score of 72 points. That result puts the machine second from bottom on the outlet's laptop camera leaderboard, even though it is the single most expensive notebook DxOMark has evaluated so far.
Big Sensor, Weak Processing
On paper, Dell addressed one of the biggest pain points of earlier designs by ditching the old 2-megapixel sensor for an 8MP module. Yet DxOMark's lab analysis found that extra resolution failed to translate into usable sharpness. Instead, test images showed minimal fine detail alongside heavy image noise, a problem that worsened rapidly in dim environments.
Lighting inconsistencies plague the sensor as well. The lab reported that images frequently blow out highlights under moderate glare, while exposure levels and white balance constantly drift during video calls. DxOMark concluded that the camera is barely usable in high-contrast environments or dim rooms. To compound matters, Dell chose not to build in a physical privacy shutter for the sensor.
How Rivals Compare
Other machines tested by the same benchmark handled video conferencing far better at lower prices. Apple's entry-tier MacBook Neo managed 98 points in DxOMark's evaluation, easily outpacing the XPS 14. Higher-end machines pulled away entirely: Microsoft's Surface Pro registered 108 points, while the 14-inch MacBook Pro led the pack with 110 points.
The webcam stumble lands alongside mixed feedback on other hardware changes. In its own review of the Panther Lake model, Notebookcheck observed that Dell improved the chassis styling, audio speakers, and battery longevity, and restored physical function keys above the keyboard. But the outlet reported that performance, display output, and typing feel still failed to deliver a convincing jump forward.
For remote workers paying flagship money, the video feed remains an unavoidable part of the workday. Dell built the XPS 14 for professionals who split time between desk setups and travel, but buyers relying on built-in optics will likely need an external USB camera on their desk.
CDFiled by The Computing Desk
Laptops, desktops, processors, graphics cards and the operating systems that run on them.
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